New TDI website sheds light on medical costs

Need rotator cuff surgery and wondering what it’s going to cost you? Texas consumers now have a new tool to help them find out.

The Texas Department of Insurance has a new website ̶ TexasHealthcareCosts.org ̶ that provides cost information on more than 200 of the most common medical procedures, including many tests, surgeries, and office visits. The site provides both the average amount billed for the service and the average insurance payment by ZIP code.

“It is incredibly difficult to get information on what a procedure will cost before you get the bill,” said Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan. “This website is going to help with that problem.”

Consumers can use the site to search for a procedure by ZIP code. For procedures that involve multiple bills, like a surgery, the search results will provide a total cost. The total can be broken down by the costs for the facility, surgeon, and anesthesia.

Consumers can use the information as a comparison tool when asking doctors and facilities about their charges for a procedure. The site includes in-network and out-of-network cost information.

“Consumers should be able to know the cost of a procedure up front, compare prices, and budget for medical care,” Sullivan said. “That’s the goal of this website.”